Southern California -- this just in

Man turns himself in after fatal Commerce hit and run

July 30, 2012 | 12:26
pm

A 21-year-old man was in custody Monday after surrendering to authorities in a fatal hit and run in Commerce, officials said.

Hugo Chavez, of Bell, turned himself in Saturday to the East Los Angeles sheriff's station. He was being sought as the possible driver who allegedly struck and killed a 19-year-old man last Thursday during a possible street race in the 5200 block of Randolph Street, police said.

Authorities were not releasing the name of the victim, but KTLA-TV identified him as Jose Mendoza, citing friends and family members.

Witnesses told authorities a street race was underway, but the vehicle that struck the man was described as a large, dark-colored pickup truck or SUV, said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Sam Arellano.

"Typically, pickup trucks of that size are not used in street racing," Arellano said.

The area is a largely industrial neighborhood, and Arellano said he was not aware of any repeated street racing there.

Chavez was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail and is expected to appear in court this week for arraignment, according to the sheriff's department inmate database.